I've seen many posts and threads continually bashing this guy. Here is a strong case to keep him on the 4th line other than he "is a good team guy, etc.." Below is a list of all NHL 4th line forwards who average under 10 minutes per game (exception Tanner Glass at 10:03...close enough), they all must have at least 27 PIM, and the amount of goals they have. I'm pretty certain than none of these players are on special teams with any kind of regularity.

Bottom line...Most every team in the NHL has these role playing forwards that mix it up and/or fight. Every team in the Bruins division has this type of player. Most of these guys on the entire list have less goals than Thornton (although they are not on rosters for goal scoring). I'm pretty certain that most of these guys are not known for their slick skating ability or puck handling skills. Many arguments are made that the Bruins need to replace him with a scoring type player. Clearly, roughly 30 GMs in the league would disagree based on the above list.

There is a time and a place for a player like Thornton, but not in a shortened season where scoring is more important than fighting, and skill will score more goals. He was done after he lost to Scott and good in the room doesn't score goals either.

Bottom line...Most every team in the NHL has these role playing forwards that mix it up and/or fight. Every team in the Bruins division has this type of player. Most of these guys on the entire list have less goals than Thornton (although they are not on rosters for goal scoring). I'm pretty certain that most of these guys are not known for their slick skating ability or puck handling skills. Many arguments are made that the Bruins need to replace him with a scoring type player. Clearly, roughly 30 GMs in the league would disagree based on the above list.

Luc, I can appreciate the time it took to do the research. That the other skating clowns have less goals isn't a reason to keep Thornton. The problem with Thornton, and most of the other skating clowns, is that they can't do anything at an NHL level. They obviously can't score. They can't pass. They can't play defensively. They are useless. Thornton is no different.

Yes, there are plenty of skating clowns in the NHL. I don't think that means that the Bruins need one. Skating clowns rarely fight regular hockey players. They basically only fight each other in pre-planned, staged fights that get casual hockey fans excited as they do-se-do, go, kiss, and head to the box. If the B's chose to dress a guy with some skill, maybe a good defensive forward, they'd have a leg up. How, you ask?

Kaspars Daugavins is a perfect example. He played a lot on Ottawa's PK. If he's in instead of Thornton, he can take some PK weight off of Bergeron and/or Marchand, giving them more time and/or energy going the other way.

Isn't Shawn and Scott the same close enough no big deal trying to have a little fun. If you put all the inaccurate stuff I posted on here I be a millionaire. Thats why I have you people correct me when I am wrong. It is part of the posting.

Depending on the injury situation, I would expect Thornton to spend some time in the press box come playoff time. NAS is right though, this type player will be phased out of the league in the very near future. I will give Thornton credit though, he does his job with a smile on his face (and it isn't easy), plus he has 2 cups with his name on them. Not too shabby.

I expect Thornton to sit as well come playoff time. They might put him in the lineup on occasion to "fire the team up" in the same manner that goalies get pulled from the game if things are not going well.

Not that this a reason to justify his position regular season wise, but it is at least comforting that other teams are not gaining an edge by dressing a player, like a Daugavins (who can do more than just 5-on-5). In short, it seems like every 12th forward in the NHL has the same characteristics. In other words, the Bruins during the regular season are not losing anything by dressing Thornton. I would think differently if our 4th line sucked---but it has been actually pretty good this year.

There is a time and a place for a player like Thornton, but not in a shortened season where scoring is more important than fighting, and skill will score more goals. He was done after he lost to Scott and good in the room doesn't score goals either.

His play isn't any different than Pandolpho's.

I think going after Shawn Thorton instead of Peverly, Chris Kelly when healthy, or Pandolpho makes more sense.

Complaining about a 4th line player who is better than most 4th line players is just stupid....

The problem with this team is that they got 2 lines of 4th line players...

I expect Thornton to sit as well come playoff time. They might put him in the lineup on occasion to "fire the team up" in the same manner that goalies get pulled from the game if things are not going well.

Not that this a reason to justify his position regular season wise, but it is at least comforting that other teams are not gaining an edge by dressing a player, like a Daugavins (who can do more than just 5-on-5). In short, it seems like every 12th forward in the NHL has the same characteristics. In other words, the Bruins during the regular season are not losing anything by dressing Thornton. I would think differently if our 4th line sucked---but it has been actually pretty good this year.

It's one of the best fourth lines in the league. Our skating clown isn't as bad as the other teams' skating clowns. That's why he's making 1.1M compared to other clowns making 600K.

Nice post Luc, and you knew you were going to take heat for the Scott Thornton thing. Handled it well though.

My argument for the other side of the Thornton debate, and it's been mentioned, is he does too many of the Fighter Union dances. His job is to be an enforcer and keep other players honest. i don't think he does this as well as Orr or even Neil. He's a better overall player than Orr, I don't doubt that. Neil, I'm not so sure, but those two seem to focus their energy on guys like Kaleta, who are out there to get your teams better players off their game. Thornton fights John Erskine after the Bruins went up two goals, admits it wasn't the best time to oblige but did because Erskine had done it for him in the past. That really bothered me, and while I don't put much stock in how a fight between two enforcers has an effect on the outcome of a game, but for those who do, the Caps came back and won that game.

I did however like when Thornton took care of Rinaldo after he was running around. I just would like to see more of that than the one I mentioned above. When he does that, then he and his role have some value.

Depending on the injury situation, I would expect Thornton to spend some time in the press box come playoff time. NAS is right though, this type player will be phased out of the league in the very near future. I will give Thornton credit though, he does his job with a smile on his face (and it isn't easy), plus he has 2 cups with his name on them. Not too shabby.

Great debate topic... As long as the 5-minute major continues to exist instead of suspension, I think it is going to be tough to phase out this type of player. Deep down, I also think the Union and the NHL likes this aspect of the game in that it is unique to hockey. While many fans disdain these types of players, there is an equal number of (or perhaps more) fans who love to see it whether it is staged or not.

Depending on the injury situation, I would expect Thornton to spend some time in the press box come playoff time. NAS is right though, this type player will be phased out of the league in the very near future. I will give Thornton credit though, he does his job with a smile on his face (and it isn't easy), plus he has 2 cups with his name on them. Not too shabby.

Is there a better option than Thornton come playoff time? If your looking for the odd goal from your fourth line come playoff time, I'm not sure Pandolfo is a better option than Thornton. I realize Pandolfo may be more versatile, but Thornton at least provides more offense than he does.

There is a time and a place for a player like Thornton, but not in a shortened season where scoring is more important than fighting, and skill will score more goals. He was done after he lost to Scott and good in the room doesn't score goals either.

If you lived in a world without parameters yes more scoring on the 4th line is needed! Again, 4th line scoring, he compares well, read the 1st post here. There's a cap in place. You can't spend 3-4 mill on a 4th line players. Players that score more make that much. You may want 4th line consistent scoring but I wonder why nearly all teams don't have it?